Castle ruin Stromberg

Stromberg Castle was first mentioned in 966. For centuries it was a massive fortification. Today, only parts of the ring wall, a castle manor house and the Paulus Tower remain from the former complex. The castle ruins are a beautiful destination for recreation seekers, cyclists and families. The view from the castle hill over the plum meadows of Stromberg into the wide Münsterland is unique. In good weather, you can even see the Ruhr region. In the summer months, the steps of the Holy Cross Church become an open-air stage and thrill young and old with fantastic plays.

Stromberg Castle was the only hilltop castle in the Münsterland region and is now only preserved in ruins. It was a hilltop castle in the southern Münsterland and was first mentioned in 966. According to legend, Charlemagne founded the castle - as well as the nearby Liesborn Monastery at the same time. From 1177, according to a document, Stromberg Castle was even the provincial castle of the bishops of Münster. Inside the castle complex, the Church of the Holy Cross, which still exists today and contains the precious Holy Cross of Stromberg, was consecrated in 1344. By order of the Elector and Bishop Maximilian Franz, the castle was demolished from 1780 onwards.

Today, only parts of the ring wall, a castle mansion and the Paulus Tower from the 15th century remain. A coat-of-arms stone from 1564 is still on the castle gate. A special sight is the Gothic Church of the Holy Cross, which is located at the highest point of the former castle complex. The church is still an important place of pilgrimage because of the Holy Cross: an image of grace from the period 1080-1100. It is a Byzantine crucifix. On Christ's chest is a small medallion containing a particle of the cross.

The mighty ruins of the hilltop castle are now the setting for the Oelde open-air theatre.

The Stromberg castle ruins can be visited from the outside at any time.